No. 34 Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Michael McDowell started Sunday's race on the pole, his third this season and first on a non-superspeedway track. The No. 34 Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse wasted no time getting out in front and setting the pace, battling the first stage with the No. 20 of Christopher Bell and leading 40 laps. The No. 34 maintained his Top-5 presence early and often, finishing Stage 1 in second, earning valuable stage points. McDowell stayed in the Top-10 for most of the second stage, however a caution involving Josh Berry mixed up strategy. Many of the field and leaders pitted for two tires while the No. 34 took four tires and adjustments putting the No. 34 in the mid-pack. Unfortunately, track position was key and passing difficult on the flat 1.25-mile oval, also midway through the stage and for the remainder of the race, McDowell was fighting a right-rear issue on his Mustang Dark Horse. For the final stage, Crew Chief, Travis Peterson decided to run long on the fuel and tires as McDowell climbed as high as fourth but had to come down pit road for fuel with less than 20 laps remaining, going a lap down. McDowell finished 25th-place.
Start: 1st
Stage One: 2nd
Stage Two: 28th
Race Result: 16th
DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:
"It's a bummer for sure, especially qualifying on the pole and the speed we had to start the weekend. We had a fast Ford Mustang Dark Horse to start the race, got stage points. Something just broke on the right rear in Stage 2, and we struggled in traffic after that. Travis and the guys did everything we could, but we were just a few laps short on fuel. But it was great to have Siteman Cancer Center on the car and have everyone come out and support us. Just need to refocus and have a better run at Sonoma."
No. 38 Ruedebusch Development & Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Todd Gilliland competed at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois this past weekend for a 240-lap event at the 1.25-mile oval. Qualifying 35th, Gilliland was in for a long race. Crew Chief Ryan Bergenty called Gilliland to pit road for four tires and fuel while under caution after an incident between the No. 15 and No. 42. Back under green, Gilliland fought with the handling of his No. 38 Ruedebusch Ford Mustang Dark Horse, reporting he was too loose. Another caution for the No. 15 flew, but Gilliland and the team elected to stay out and gain track position and restart within the Top-20. Gilliland continue the battle the changing track and finished the first stage in the 16th position. Bergenty then made the call to keep Gilliland and his Ford Mustang off of pit road under the stage-break caution to gain track position and start the second stage in first. Gilliland made his way to pit road for four tires and fuel, falling back to the back of the pack to finish Stage 2 in the 32nd position. Pitting for just right-side tires under the stage-break caution, Gilliland went back to work and salvage the day. With great strategy calls, Gilliland found himself back in the Top-20 and finished the race in the 16th position. Gilliland was the biggest mover of the race, gaining 19 spots enroute to his 16th-place finish.
Start: 35th
Stage One: 16th
Stage Two: 32nd
Race Result: 16th
DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:
"We made the most of the day, for sure. We started out on the wrong foot with qualifying in the back, but Ryan (Bergenty) made some great calls to salvage our race and get us up to the front. We just need to improve our qualifying efforts. I know if we can start up front, we can compete for Top-10's more consistently."
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